How Junk Food Vegans Make Veganism More Acceptable

There’s no denying veganism is trendy right now. You only have to peruse Instagram to see the glorious and colorful plant-based recipes, creations and endless boasts of good health from vegan millennials advocating for animals, the planet and environment. With so many concerned animal lovers wanting to create change in a corrupt and cruel meat and dairy world, why are vegans supporting the processed food industry? The answer may surprise you.

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When you think about vegans, you may think about colorful fruits and vegetables, and lean bodies fueled on plants. You may envision athletes soaring effortlessly through finish lines, or even hippies with long flowing hair. Rarely, do people envision overweight vegans eating junk and processed foods, but Junk Food Vegans exist and as long as they’re not eating animal products or using them, they are a welcomed part of the vegan world.

Many good-intentioned vegans have swapping out their meat-based lifestyles for an animal-free lifestyle, but are instead turning to processed animal-free junk foods and jeopardizing their health. What’s worse, they’re supporting another health-disrupting industry – the processed food industry because may common Junk Vegan foods are not made with animal products (think Pop Tarts.)

According to The Vegan Society, “veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.”

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From 'junk food vegans' to raw food vegans, and everything in between, there is a version of veganism to suit everyone, since the one thing all vegans have in common is a diet that avoids all animal foods such as meat (including fish, shellfish and insects), dairy, eggs and honey - as well as products or goods like leather and products that are tested on animals.

Veganism Is Not Always Healthy

Veganism isn’t only about eating vegetables, fruit and other plant-based foods and veganism, unless of course, you’re a Raw Food Vegan. Veganism is simply about avoiding all products made with animal products, tested on animals, or harmful to animals in anyway. And while the very word “vegan” is derived from the word “vegetables”, which in and of itself indicates a movement toward health, junk veganism is its dark side.

Vegans Would Rather Support The Processed Food Industry Than The Meat And Dairy Industry

Junk foods, such as Coca-cola, Oreos, potato chips, Pop Tarts, chocolate and more, are technically vegan foods. Ironically to vegans, any industry that doesn't hurt animals is an accepted industry, even if it doesn't benefit human health.

Additionally, many vegans choose to support Junk Food Veganism because it helps them to feel less deprived and able to partake in celebrations. That being said, these foods are far from health promoting, and cause many Junk Food Vegans to put on weight. What is more, parents who want their children to avoid animal products find transitioning to veganism a bit easier if they’re allowed to feed their kids their favorite snacks. Of course, the hope is they’ll transition to becoming a Raw Food Vegan to enjoy better health at some point down the road.

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